MENDE, France -- Spain's Omar Fraile powered to victory with a late burst in the last climb of Stage 14 of the Tour de France Saturday.
After the 188-kilometre ride from Saint-Paul-Trois-Chateaux, Astana rider Fraile caught Belgian Jasper Stuyven near the top of the Cote de Croix Neuve, a 3-kilometre ascent at an average gradient of 10.2 percent, and did not look back as he crossed the line.
France's Julian Alaphilippe, holder of the polka dot jersey, was the fastest in the climb but he made his move slightly too late and finished six seconds behind, just ahead of Stuyven.
Great Britain's Geraint Thomas keeps hold of the yellow jersey after finishing ahead of his principal rivals.
"Winning a Tour de France stage is the best for a professional rider," said Fraile, who already had a Giro d'Italia stage win to his name. "When I attacked I was not sure I would be able to keep my advantage. I knew Alaphilippe was coming strong."
All three featured in an early breakaway that built a lead over the main pack of almost 20 minutes, although none of the 32 escapees were a threat in the general classification.
Welshman Thomas retained the overall leader's yellow jersey with a lead of 1 minute 39 seconds over teammate and defending champion Chris Froome, with Dutchman Tom Dumoulin in third place, one minute 50 seconds off the pace.
Only Slovenian Primoz Roglic, who is fourth overall now, 2 minutes and 38 seconds behind Team Sky's Thomas, gained some time on the main contenders when he attacked in the final climb.
He crossed the line 18 minutes and 1 second behind Fraile, eight seconds behind Froome, Thomas and Dumoulin after the Dutchman also attacked in the climb.
The move hurt Frenchman Romain Bardet, who ended up 22 seconds off Fraile's pace. He is fifth overall, now 3 minutes 21 seconds off the pace and faces a massive challenge in the approaching Pyrenees if he is to finish on the Tour podium for the third time.
Sunday's 15th stage is a 181.5-km road race from Millau to Carcassonne ahead of the second rest day and three stages in the Pyrenees that could shake up the overall standings.
Stage 14 results:
1. Omar Fraile (ESP) Astana Pro Team -- 4 hours 41 minutes 57 seconds
2. Julian Alaphilippe (FRA) Quick-Step Floors -- +6 seconds
3. Jasper Stuyven (BEL) Trek - Segafredo "
4. Peter Sagan (SVK) BORA - hansgrohe -- +12 seconds
5. Damiano Caruso (ITA) BMC Racing Team -- +17 seconds
Overall leaders after Stage 14:
1. Geraint Thomas (GBR) -- Team Sky -- 58 hours 10 minutes 44 seconds
2. Chris Froome (GBR) -- Team Sky -- +1:39
3. Tom Dumoulin (NED) Team Sunweb +1:50
4. Primož Roglic (SLO) Team LottoNL - Jumbo +2:38
5. Romain Bardet (FRA) AG2R La Mondiale +3:21